How often do you blow out your rockwork?

[CrunchyBananas]

I wanted to start a poll to see how regularly people blow out their rock work.

How often do you blow your rock work out and how do you do it?

It's something I've started doing a few times a week, and since doing so I feel like my general tank health has really improved. Random clumps of algae have been disappearing and corals seem happier with better polyp extension too.

My hypothesis is this helps get all the gunk out of the rock work that acts as (essentially) fertilizer to algae, as well as encourages liverock to absorb excess phosphates. I also believe phosphates wicking from the rock work, into the bases of large SPS colonies where their base gets minimal flow due to growth could lead to RTN and STN events.

Those are just my hypotheses, and I would be curious to hear anyone else's thoughts/experiences!

 

[MichaelReefer]

Honestly, I rarely do it but now that I have my new tank, I am trying to make it one of my things I do every week.

 

[RoTtEn FinZ]

Every times water changes......

 

[Alanna102499]

With every WC

 

[CrunchyBananas]

Added a with water change option as well!

 

[Billdogg]

I had to choose the first one, although the reality is that it happens 24/7/365. I have a couple powerheads on either sideof the tank near the bottom whose only purpose is to maintain excellent flow in and behind the rocks.

 

[WVNed]

I only do it if stuff like cyano gets on the rocks. I turn up the flow so I dont have to do it again.

 

[CrunchyBananas]

I had to choose the first one, although the reality is that it happens 24/7/365. I have a couple powerheads on either sideof the tank near the bottom whose only purpose is to maintain excellent flow in and behind the rocks.

This is one of the reasons I asked, I've had tanks with crazy flow and blowing out the rock work still cleans out crevices inevitably. It's simply unrealistic (in my experience) to have enough flow to clear out every single crevice, I'd say grab a turkey baster and give it a shot. It may surprise you!

Even bare bottom tanks with numerous panta rhei pumps I've been able to get detritus out regularly!

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I tend to do it when I think of it...

 

[CrunchyBananas]

I'm already fairly surprised with how often most reefers blow out their rock work vs how little I ever encounter it in regular maintenance discussions!

 

[petemichelle]

would you believe i'm trying to do it almost every day especially around my zoas. seems to help them.

 

[PacoPetty]

Just when I think of it.

 

[BobbyCline]

Never...seems to be working out OK.

 

[Fourstars]

Blast away monthly!

 

[jeffrey750750]

When I blow off my rocks I use a fine mesh fish net and just go back and forth to get as much out as I can. I voted once a month but I have done it a little more on occasion

 

[ks2509]

I am currently doing it daily. I slacked off for a while and my rocks are super dirty. Before I was doing it weekly. I have a cube tank and I have a couple low flow areas that build up quick if I'm not on it.

 

[code4]

I voted monthly. But I usually do it more often. I do weekly water changes. I blow off the Rockwood or stir up the sand while using a small hose to pump in the new water. It only takes a little extra time and I think it worth while. I add in some clean socks to catch the junk. Or a polishing filter to my redsea. I have multiple tanks.

 

[code4]

would you believe i'm trying to do it almost every day especially around my zoas. seems to help them.

I agree, they seem to always need cleaning!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Monthly or when I think of it. Amazing what dislodges from nooks and crannies

 

[Sold4jc7]

I blow the rocks off before I change my filter socks.